WO1995000727A1

WO1995000727A1 - Rapid assembly construction based on preferably aluminium sections

Info

Publication number: WO1995000727A1
Application number: PCT/FR1994/000777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xavier Bottemer; Bernard Eck
Original assignee: Xavier Bottemer
Priority date: 1993-06-28
Filing date: 1994-06-28
Publication date: 1995-01-05
Also published as: DE69406933D1; EP0713556A1; ATE160411T1; FR2708302B1; FR2708302A1; EP0713556B1

Abstract

A modular system for quickly erecting structures by means of shaped beams (1, 1', 1'') and joining members (5, 10, 11) for assembling said beams (1, 1', 1'') together with a set of accessories for attaching complementary external elements such as vertical panels and/or roof elements. The system comprises shaped beams (1, 1', 1'') having a rectangular cross-section and provided with at least one axial side channel (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) on at least one side; joining members (10, 11) slidably fitted in said channels; connecting accessories (26, 36, 44) attachable to the slidable joining members so that the external elements can be rigidly connected to the structure; members (5, 5', 39) also attachable to said slidable joining members for determining the relative positions of the beams; and elements for reinforcing and/or casing the structure.

Description

Quick assembly structure based on preferably aluminum profiles

The present invention relates to a modular system for rapid construction of structures, based on profiled beams and connecting pieces allowing the assembly of said beams together.

This system also includes a set of accessories making the connection with elements which are not part of the structure proper, and which represent a possibility of application.

Thus, a preferential but not exclusive application of the invention consists in the construction of buildings, by combining the structure of the invention with facade panels, roofing panels, concrete slabs, etc. In this context, the accessories advantageously make it possible to make the connection between these panels, known per se, and the profiles of the structure.

The frame of such buildings is formed by profiled beams, preferably aluminum, which are assembled and disassembled with great speed and which can cooperate with a large number of accessory elements, which depend on the functionality to be fulfilled.

Of course, many shapes of profiled beams already known are used in various applications. In particular, such profiles exist with much smaller dimensions and are used for the construction of metal frame structures, for the production of panel frames, doors, windows, shutters and / or the like.

To date, however, there are no profiles whose dimensions and strength allow for large or modular buildings or constructions. However, the manufacture of larger components is interesting, since these are reusable due to their high mechanical strength. The invention fills this gap. To this end, the system according to the invention is composed, according to an essential characteristic:

- profiled beams of rectangular section provided with at least one axial lateral slide on at least one of the sides,

- connecting parts embedded in said sliding and sliding tracks, - connection accessories which can be fixed to the sliding connecting pieces, with a view to securing elements external to the structure,

- parts intended to fix the relative orientation of the beams, also fixable to said sliding connecting parts, and

- reinforcing and / or covering elements of the structures. According to a particular characteristic of said beams, they have a central part capable of circumscribing an axia element! cylindrical.

A preferential structure comprises those median axial planes of symmetry. The profiled beams which obey these planes of symmetry are therefore provided with four slides, one per side for a square section beam. According to a possible variant, said section is rectangular and, over its length, it comprises two parallel homologous slides.

, - We can build structures with uprights and crosspieces made of only one of these profiled beams. However, for the purpose of strengthening the structure, or to modulate an existing structure by extending it by adding other annex structures, it is possible to group several beams together.

According to a possible grouping mode, they can be assembled in parallel by means of two connecting pieces embedded in opposite slides and fixed to one another.

An assembly of the upright / transom type necessarily introduces an angle between the axes of the beams. Several connection modes are possible, depending on whether we are dealing with isolated beams or groupings, or whether the connection system is visible or hidden. In the latter case, the fact that this system is hidden implies that it is more difficult to dismantle. The perpendicular assembly is then carried out by means of a cylindrical piece with an internal bore, fixed to one of the beams by fastening to a connecting piece embedded in the slide thereof and located in the 'axis of its bore, and to the other beam by pinning or any equivalent connection. The beams, like accessories, must have freedom of movement relative to each other to facilitate assembly and disassembly.

This is why the connecting pieces embedded in the slides are secured to the connection accessories and to the pieces fixing the relative orientation of the profiled beams by needle screws pressing against the bottom of the slides. It suffices to loosen said screw to allow the displacement of one of the elements relative to the other. There is also a needle screw in the bore of the cylindrical connecting piece, for the same purpose.

It is important that adjustments, additions or deletions can be made even when the basic structure is already installed. It is therefore necessary that the connecting pieces embedded in the slides can be handled without passing through one of the ends of the beam which contains it.

To this end, they preferably have a shape of parallelogram whose height is less than the width of the axial opening of the slide, and whose length corresponds to the internal width of said slide. During their introduction, they can only be made to rotate in one direction, so that their short sides are positioned parallel and in contact with the internal lateral edges of the slide. Reverse rotary motion is required to remove them. Of course, other more conventional forms are possible for this connecting piece, for example rectangular, but it is then not possible to introduce or remove it elsewhere than by the ends of the profiled beam.

The rectangular version may include a thread with a substantially longitudinal axis, in which it is possible to screw a plate connected or not connected to an accessory external to the structure.

Another thread, parallel to the central hole for guiding the needle screws, is also used to carry out a pre-positioning tightening using a screw embedded in this thread. The prepositioning is preferably carried out before the transport of the elements of the system on the site, and allows an even faster assembly of these.

An additional longitudinal guide comes from an additional boss made on the face of this connecting piece opposite the slot of the slide and of the same width as the latter. These parts are generally placed between the beams and the functional accessories. When the objective of such a structure lies more particularly in the construction of buildings, the set of these accessories mainly comprises:

- connection plates between roof and facade elements,

- seat profiles supporting vertical panels, - gutter support profiles,

- fixing profiles for the upper part of the vertical panels. These vertical panels of course include horizontal and vertical edges. Some profiles are adaptable exclusively to horizontal edges, while others can also be applied to vertical edges. According to general characteristics in particular intended to adapt them to elements such as facade and / or roof panels known per se, these sheets and profiles have the following particularities:

- the seat profiles of the vertical facade panels can comprise a rail on which the panel comes to rest by gravitation, - the fixing profiles of the upper parts of the vertical facade panels have a section of the unciform type, the end of which comes s 'hang in said panels, when they are moved in the direction of the panel in their slides by loosening the embedded connecting pieces.

These forms are particularly advantageous because they use the weight of the panels, and allow secure attachment to structures in a very simple manner for operators.

The other possible accessories depend of course on the configuration of the external elements to adapt to the structure that is being built. Thus, in a manner known per se, there are two types of profiled sheets for the connection of roof panels or more generally roof structures to the system of the invention. According to a first configuration, the roof can protrude beyond the vertical plane of the facade, inducing a particular configuration of the sheet. A simpler variant consists in maintaining the end of this roof in the vertical outside plane of said facade or in a very close plane.

In both cases, profiles can be installed which have the function of supporting a gutter, with an appropriate shape known per se.

The problem of non-parallel connection between two beams has been mentioned above, without going into details when there is no grouping of several beams in a limited space. According to a simple solution, these connections are made by angles at which or gives the desired angle. An improved variant consists in introducing a hinge between the two wings of the angle iron, so that during assembly, the desired direction is given to the cross-member.

There are several possible variations of all the elements of the structure. Thus, as a reinforcing element, it is possible to use a simple profile, of non-rectangular section, with a single slide.

Furthermore, it is understood that the beams with square or rectangular section may have only one or two slides on the four faces. One of the major advantages of the invention lies in the use of a single screw gauge, with only two types of bolting. The consequence is that only two suitable keys are needed to carry out the entire assembly. Depending on the location of the bolted connection, accessible or not, it may be a hexagon wrench and a conventional key for countersunk head, although other configurations are also possible. In the case of rapid erection of buildings using the structure of the invention, a preferred example chosen in this case, the configurations of the beams and accessories of the invention make it possible to insert seals where appropriate.

The system of the invention, by the judicious configuration of the elements which compose it, makes it possible to very quickly assemble and disassemble all kinds of structures, and to adapt additional elements to it according to multiple variants as we have seen previously.

It is very easy to enlarge an already constituted framework, to decrease it, and more generally to adapt it in a very reduced time to all needs. The claddings of the structure consist, for example, of angle sheets, known per se, which close the framework outside and / or inside, and also contribute to sealing. According to a secondary result, these cover sheets have an aesthetic function which is not without importance. These corner sheets are fixed to the frame as follows, when they are outside:

They are connected to a cross piece in the shape of a cross which cooperates on the one hand with an angle beam and on the other hand with corner panels. These parts may include a prepositioning thread, like the rectangular embedded connection parts.

Two consecutive branches of the cross cooperate with the edges of two slides on two intersecting sides of the beam, and with the edges of said panels by means of the two other branches.

On this cross-piece, between the branches placed in contact with the edges of the corner panels, is a connecting rod with said outer corner sheet, the two lateral wings of which are pressed against the panels.

Other possible applications of the invention are as follows:

- Machine frames,

- Tunnel structures,

- Car galleries,

- Light holders,

- Frame of industrial buildings,

- Glass canopies,

- Roof frames.

The material preferentially chosen to build the major part of the elements, and in particular the profiled beams, is aluminum, whose lightness and solidity are an additional advantage. The metal can be coated with a layer of paint preventing natural oxidation.

These structures can be put underwater without inducing seizures, or even be filled with cold or hot water, or even steam, without altering the dimensions of the profiles. They can thus contribute in certain cases to fire safety.

In the following, we will describe in more detail the various components of the system of the invention and their possible interactions, with reference to the figures placed in the appendix, for which:

- Figure 1 shows a perpendicular assembly of two profiled beams, - Figure 2 represents a double beam, - Figure 3 shows a connecting piece, - Figure 4 shows a variant of the latter, - The fi Figure 5 illustrates a rigid angle, - Figure 6 shows an angle with hinge, - Figure 7 is a section of a seat profile for vertical panels, - Figure 8 is a section of a piece in cross, assembly for angles, - Figure 9 shows a section of an upper attachment piece of vertical panels,.

- Figure 10 is a gutter support profile,

- Figure 11 is a simple reinforcing element, - Figure 12 is a corner plate,

- Figure 13 is a roof connector profile,

- Figure 14 shows a cylindrical part in section,

FIG. 15 is a sheet or profile carrying facade panels,

- Figure 16 is a sectional view of a parallel grouping of two sections. Figure 1 illustrates particularly well certain aspects of the invention. First, we see the section of a profiled beam (1), with the central part (2) provided to receive a cylindrical body and four slides (3a; 3b; 3c; 3d).

This particular configuration obeys the two planes of symmetry mentioned above, and has a square section.

This first beam is fixed to a beam (V) by an angle (5) at right angles, the two beams being secured perpendicular to each other.

The two heads (6) and (7) of the needle screws appearing on the two corresponding wings of the angle iron (5) are strictly identical, as are the connecting parts embedded in the slides (3) which do not, however, appear on this drawing.

Figure 2 shows a configuration of a double profiled beam (1 ") with two opposite sides (8; 9) each comprising two slides (3b, 3b '; 3c, 3c'). This double structure also obeys the two planes of symmetry mentioned and therefore has internal ribs connecting the cylindrical central part (2 ') to the peripheral slides (3).

Figures 3 and 4 show two variants of connecting pieces (10, 1 1) intended to be embedded in slides (3). According to a first possibility, said part (10) is rectangular, provided with a base (12) conforming to the internal shape of the slide, surmounted by a boss (13) of width allowing it to be inserted in the axial groove of the slide.

As we said, this solution has the disadvantage of being unable to be put on or removed from the slide on which it depends only by one of the ends of the profile, which can prove to be troublesome when it is desired to modify an existing structure. The second configuration consists of a base (14) having the shape of a parallelogram surmounted by a washer (15) provided with two lateral flats allowing it to identify the operating position of the part (1 1) and improve the axial guidance in the slot of the slide. These two parts are drilled in order to allow passage to the needle screw which passes through them. -

The rectangular part may furthermore comprise two additional tapped bores, one (49) of longitudinal shape, the second (48) being of axis parallel to the tapping provided for receiving the needle screw.

The latter is provided to pre-position the connecting parts (10, 11) embedded in their slides (3), before installation on site. These are placed at regular distance from each other, a distance which depends on the structure to be built. Figure 5 shows a rigid angle iron (5), with its holes for the same purposes as above. In Figure 6, the part (5 ') is almost identical, but has a hinge (16) giving a variable angular difference between the two wings (17) and (18). During the construction of the framework of any device with the system of the invention, one can angularly position the two beams concerned by the assembly according to the constraints imposed by the fixing of the other end of the mobile beam in rotation.

Figure 7 is a section of a profile receiving a horizontal facade panel (not shown here). This profile also includes two wings (19, 20), one of which is horizontal, and therefore intended to support the weight of the panel, is provided with a rail (21). According to a particular example, this rail has a dovetail section, which can be provided to better hang the lower part of the panel. This rail has a function of guiding the panel, preventing a transverse drift of the latter. It only applies to the horizontal edges of said panels. FIG. 8 represents a section of an assembly element (21, 22) placed at structural angles, when two panels are close to each other and positioned perpendicular to each other. This cross-piece has two ends of a uniform shape (23, 24) intended to cooperate with the lateral edges of the slots of two slides (3) placed on two consecutive perpendicular sides of a beam, in which they hang.

At the level of the intersection, a substantially prismatic boss (25) placed approximately on the perpendicular bisector of the angle formed by the two remaining branches of the cross-shaped part may, as a possibility, include a threaded rod intended to cooperate with a part external angle as will be described below, as well as a positioning needle screw.

Figure 9 shows a section of a profile (26) for fixing the upper part of a facade panel. This part is interesting because it shows that the frameworks created with the structures according to the invention are dressed with panels provided with edges of the male type at one end and of the female type at the opposite end. It also only applies to the horizontal edges of the panels.

These panels, known per se, for example have a PVG coating, covering a core -of synthetic foam, or any other suitable material. The profile of Figure 9, in combination with that of Figure 7 for the lower part of the panel, maintains the latter allowing a rupture of the thermal bridge.

The walls can be provided with foam type joints, single or double sided.

The upper part (27) of the profile (26) is supported on one of the longitudinal edges of the upper part of the panel.

In Figure 10, the accessory presented is a gutter support (28) whose curved part (29) is precisely provided for this purpose.

Figure 11 shows a reinforcement piece (30) provided with a single slide (3). According to a possible variant, this part can be configured in a U, that is to say with the two external wings (31, 32) oriented in the same direction.

FIG. 12 relates to an external angular connection piece (33) which consequently makes the connection between two extreme edges of panels which meet perpendicularly. This is why the two lateral wings (34, 35) of this part have an orientation perpendicular to one another. These wings are pressed against said panels, preferably with additional sealing.

According to a more general configuration, the angle formed by these wings (34, 35) is arbitrary, preferably greater than 90 °, and the part (33) can therefore connect partitions whose orientations correspond to those of these wings ( 34, 35).

Figure 13 relates to a profile (36) for connection with a roof element. Its lower part (37) is connected to the vertical facade of the structure, while the upper recess (38) receives the roof with additional waterproofing. In this case, said roof extends beyond the facade.

According to a variant (not shown), there is no recess (38), because the roof does not extend beyond the facade. The sectional element (39) seen in FIG. 14 has a cylindrical appearance and can slide into the central parts (2) of the profiles (1, 1 ′, 1 "). Its operation is particularly explicit in this figure: it has an axial bore (40) with a shoulder (41), introducing a smaller hole (42) for guiding the needle screw (43). The rod of this screw penetrates into the slot of the slide (3 ) and is screwed into a connecting piece (10 or 1 1) free in translation, but immobilized in rotation. There is bolting and tightening, when the tip of the screw abuts against the bottom of the slide (3). Of course, bolting can only be carried out in this case with a hexagon wrench. The element (44) shown in FIG. 15 is a variant of that which appears in FIG. 7. In a certain number of cases, it suffices to position the front panel in the groove (45), its weight there now without additional artifice.

FIG. 16 represents a parallel coupling of two profiled beams (1, 1 ') by means of two connecting pieces (10) embedded in their respective slides (3b, 3c) and fixed to each other by a threaded rod (46) endowed with '' a hexagonal hole.

According to a dressing possibility, the beam comprises an obturation profile (47) of the slide (3), which can be more or less complex, and serve to attach additional elements to the beam (1, 1 ', 1 ").

When all the elements as described above are available, it is easy to understand the operation of the assembly.

The uprights are sealed to the ground by plates (not shown) and connected together by horizontal or inclined crosspieces. These elements are conventional beams (1, 1 ', 1 ") or groups of beams, if there are agglomerations of structures or extensions.

They define the sizing of the frame and are ready to be dressed.

The accessories are fixed, always mobile according to a single degree of freedom thanks to the connecting pieces embedded in the slides, in the desired locations. The positioning adjustments are therefore particularly easy to perform.

The support profiles of the panels or roof elements run between two uprights defining a wall, as well as the profiles fixing them to the upper and / or opposite end of said panels or elements.

At the angles, the inner and outer angular parts are placed as described, fixed to each other by a threaded rod.

The roof elements are retained and positioned by the connection profiles described above, which also run along the walls. Most of the time, these profiled accessories are horizontal. Each attachment location from one part to another is adjustable, and this gives the system of the invention great flexibility.

You can assemble a shelter, or a more sophisticated construction, in a very short time. This can be part of the answer to the problem of homeless people, or a way to rehouse residents of a disaster-stricken region after a cataclysm. But, as we said, this system is not only applicable to the construction of buildings, but is suitable for many other applications.

Claims

1. Modular system for rapid construction of structures, based on profiled beams (1, l ', 1 ") and connecting pieces (5; 10; 1 1) allowing the assembly of said beams (1, l', 1 ") between them and with a set of accessories making the connection with external elements completing the structure, such as vertical panels and / or roofing elements, characterized in that it consists of:

- profiled beams (1, 1 ', 1 ") of rectangular section provided with at least one axial lateral slide (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) on at least one of the sides,

- connecting parts (10, 11) embedded in said slides and sliding,

- connection accessories (26, 36, 44) which can be fixed to the sliding connection parts, in order to secure elements external to the structure,

- parts intended (5, 5 ′, 39) for fixing the relative orientation of the beams, which can also be fixed to said sliding connection parts and,

- reinforcing and / or covering elements of the structures.

2. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the profiled beams have a central part (2) capable of circumscribing a cylindrical axial element (39).

3. Modular system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the profiled beams (1, l ', 1 ") can be assembled in parallel by means of two connecting pieces (10, 1 1) embedded in slides facing each other and fixed to each other.

4. Modular system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the profiled beams can be assembled perpendicularly by means of a part of cylindrical shape (39) provided with an axial bore (40) inside, fixed to one of the beams (1, V, 1 ") by attachment to a connecting piece (10, 11) embedded in the slide of said beam and placed in the axis of its bore, and fixed to the other beam by pinning.

5. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting parts (10, 1 1) embedded in the slides (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are secured to the connection accessories and to the fixing parts the relative orientation of the beams profiled by needle screws (6, 7, 43) pressing against the bottom of the slides (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).

6. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting pieces (1 1) embedded in the slides have a shape of parallelogram whose height is less than the width of the axial opening of the slide (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) practiced in the side of the beam (1, 1 ', 1 "), so as to be able to be introduced into an already constituted structure, and the length of which corresponds to the interior width of said slide.

7. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, more particularly applied to the construction of buildings, characterized in that the set of accessories for connection to elements external to the structure comprises:

- connection plates between roof and facade elements (36),

- seat profiles supporting vertical panels (44),

- gutter support profiles (28), - fixing profiles for the upper part of the vertical panels (26).

8. Modular system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the seat profiles supporting vertical front panels include a rail (21) on which the panel comes to rest by gravitation.

9. Modular system according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the fixing profiles (26) of the upper part of the vertical facade panels have a section of unciform type, the end (27) of which comes 'hang in said panels when moved in the direction of the panel in their slides by loosening the connecting pieces (10, 1 1) embedded in the slides (3).

10. Modular system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts intended to fix the mutual orientation of the beams are angles (5, 5 ').

11. Modular system according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the angles (5 ') have a hinge zone (16) allowing to vary the angle between their two constituent wings (17, 18).

12. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the bolting connections are made using screws of a single gauge and of two types.

13. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing elements (30) are profiled sheets with a single slide (3).

14. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a corner beam (1, 1 ′, 1 ") is connected to the ends of the corner panels by means of a corner piece in a cross which cooperates with the edges of the slides (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) on two secant sides of the beam by two of its consecutive branches of uniform shape (23, 24), and with the edges of the panels by both opposite branches.

15. Modular system according to claim 14, characterized in that there is on the cross-piece a connecting rod placed between the two branches in contact edges of the panels, and which is fixed to an outer corner piece (33) comprising two lateral wings (34, 35) pressed against the panels.

16. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beams (1, 1 ', 1 ") acting as uprights of a framework are connected by connection accessories with the front panels and the roof elements, which are oriented towards the outside of said frame.